Can Canada still be considered a middle power? Zimbabwe and Canada's declining global role

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Can Canada still be considered a middle power? Zimbabwe and Canada's declining global role

Bothwell, Alice

2011-03

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Canada between 1945 and 2010 has been classified as a prominent "middle power." At the same
time its relative standing among nations has been declining and it has less regard in the world than
it once did. Middle power theory seeks to classify those nations who in the wake of the Second
World War were neither great powers nor non- great powers.
The idea of middlepowermanship greatly appealed to Canadians and they undertook initiatives to
separate themselves from the non-great powers. Canada is often seen as the exemplary case for
observing middle power status. Through the post war era and the Cold War Canada was both
economically and politically powerful. By getting involved in a plethora of multi-lateral bodies
such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth while promoting peacekeeping and mediation,
Canada was able to exert its growing influence on the world order. Throughout this time Canada
worked hard to build its reputation as a mediator and specialized in ending quarrels. This is true of
Canada’s involvement in the Commonwealth in the 1960s and 1970s with regard to the Rhodesian
question. On two separate occasions it was the Canadian contingents that prevented the
Commonwealth from dissipating. This further bolstered Canada’s rise to prominence in the world
order.
Over the years, as Canada took on more initiatives resources became very thinly spread. With an
economic slow down and new commitments to national policies (universal healthcare and pensions)
the Canadian budget was rearranged and priorities changed. No longer were there the same
resources available to middle power initiatives or the military. This has greatly impacted Canada’s
ability to participate in international projects.
Recently, Canada’s position in the world has come into question, asking whether or not it truly is
still a middle power. By looking at various traditional middle power elements including the
economy, peacekeeping, official development assistance and involvement in multilateral bodies it
can be seen that Canada’s prominence is waning. Using the case study of Zimbabwean/ Canadian
relations through the 20th and 21st centuries, the decline of Canada’s middle power performance can
be traced. Combining these different themes with hard and soft power theory it is clear to see that
Canada no longer holds the same position of middle power it once did. It also shows that Canadians
are holding onto an image of Canada, which is dated, and it is time to redefine Canada’s position
within the world order.